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by Tony Evans
Contents
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Introduction
HVAC terms
Conversion tables
14
Conclusion
15
Resources
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Introduction
Related resource
HVAC terms
Rising power densities in todays IT environment have driven the need for IT managers to
understand the planning, purchasing, operation and maintenance of cooling solutions.
Unfortunately the Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry routinely uses
complicated and highly redundant terminology. Apart from the terms related to mainframedriven cooling methodologies, there is an influx of new terms related to the server and rack
enclosure architectures common in todays IT environment. This unnecessarily complex
terminology makes it difficult for IT managers to effectively communicate requirements to
cooling professionals, which may lead to suboptimal cooling solutions.
The complex jargon used to describe cooling systems can be easily explained in simple
terms of heat, humidity, temperature, pressure, and flow. Cooling-related units of measurement are also a source of confusion for IT personnel when assessing cooling needs. Its
important to note that IT managers can understand and specify cooling requirements without
knowing these complex HVAC terms. A simple method for assessing and specifying cooling
capacity is described in APC White Paper 25, Equipment Heat Output and Cooling Requirements.
This document provides explanations of cooling terms common to IT rooms and data centers
as well as useful conversion factors.
Air-cooled system
A type of precision cooling system widely used in IT environments of all sizes. In an aircooled system the condensing coil (see condensing coil below) is exposed directly to the
outside atmosphere. All other refrigeration cycle components are contained within the air
conditioner. This sometimes requires refrigerant lines to be run long distances to the
buildings roof or external perimeter.
ANSI
The abbreviation for American National Standards Institute.
ASHRAE
The abbreviation for American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning
Engineers
ASHRAE 52.1
ASHRAE Standard 52.1 is a document describing the evaluation and performance of air
filters used in data centers and equipment rooms.
ASHRAE TC9.9
Technical Committee for Facility and Equipment Thermal Guidelines for Data Center and
other Data Processing Environments. This is a consortium of IT users and manufacturers
creating common guidelines for the standardization, layout, testing and reporting of IT rooms
and data centers.
BTU
The abbreviation for British Thermal Unit. A measurement of heat energy commonly used to
measure heat loads in data centers and IT rooms in North America. A BTU is defined as the
amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one
degree Fahrenheit in one hour. This is an archaic term typically used to specify heat output
when expressed in BTU/Hr, where the use of the term Watts is the simpler and more
universal measure. Conversions from BTU to Watts are provided at the end of this paper.
Ceiling mount
A small precision air conditioner hung from, or suspended above, a ceiling. This type of air
conditioner comes in many designs, but usually is connected to a heat rejection unit on an
outdoor pad or rooftop via refrigerant or water lines.
CFM
The abbreviation for cubic feet per minute. CFM is used to measure the flow of air through a
delivery system or space.
Chiller
A device used to continuously refrigerate large volumes of water. A chiller uses the refrigeration cycle to produce large volumes of chilled water (typically at 45-48F / 7-9C) that is
distributed to Computer Room Air Handlers (CRAH) units designed to remove heat from the
IT environment.
Clean room
A room that is virtually free of dust or bacteria; used in laboratory work and in assembly or
repair of precision equipment. Clean rooms usually use precision air conditioning.
Compressor
The compressor is an essential component in the refrigeration cycle that uses mechanical
energy to compress or squeeze gaseous refrigerant. This compression process is what
Condensate
The water that results as a by-product of dehumidification. Condensate is usually pumped
out of the IT room or data center (via a condensate pipe) into the building drainage system.
Since maintaining humidity is a desired goal of a computer room air conditioning system,
dehumidification is typically not a desired function. However, dehumidification and the
resultant production of condensate commonly occur as a result of sub-optimal design.
Condenser coil
A condenser coil is one means of heat rejection commonly used in an air conditioning
system. It is typically located on an outdoor pad or on a rooftop and looks like an automobile
radiator in a cabinet. It is usually hot to the touch (120F / 49C) during normal use. Its
function is to transfer heat energy from the refrigerant to the cooler surrounding (usually
outdoor) environment. The related Dry Cooler or Fluid Cooler serves the same purpose of
heat rejection and physically appears similar, with the difference that the condenser coil uses
hot refrigerant which changes from a gas to liquid as it move through the coil, whereas the
Fluid Cooler uses hot liquid such as water or a water-glycol mix.
Conduction
A mode of heat transfer in which heat energy is transferred within an object itself or between
objects in contact. When a cold spoon is left in a pot of boiling water, the spoon eventually
becomes hot. This is an example of conduction. Conduction is one of the three forms of heat
transfer, which also include Convection and Radiation.
Convection
A mode of heat transfer in which heat energy is transferred from an object to moving fluid
such as air, water, or refrigerant. The heat sink of a computer processor is an example of
heat transfer by convection. Convection is one of the three forms of heat transfer, which also
include Conduction and Radiation.
Cooling tower
A heat rejection method that transfers heat energy from a data center or IT room to the
outside atmosphere via the evaporation of water. In a cooling tower, water is sprayed onto a
high surface-area packing material as large volumes of air are drawn across through the
structure. The net effect of this process is that a small portion of the water circulated through
the cooling tower evaporates into the outside atmosphere. The remaining water (now cooler)
is collected at the bottom of the cooling tower.
CRAC
The abbreviation for Computer Room Air Conditioning unit. A device usually installed in the
data center that uses a self-contained refrigeration cycle to remove heat from the room and
send it away from the data center through some kind of cooling medium via piping. Must be
used with a heat rejection system which then transfers the heat from the data center into the
environment. The heat rejection system typically takes one of the following forms: condensing unit, fluid cooler, or cooling tower to discharge heat to the outdoor atmosphere.
CRAH
The abbreviation for Computer Room Air Handling unit. A device usually installed in the data
center or IT room that uses circulating chilled water to remove heat. Must be used in
conjunction with a chiller.
CWR
The abbreviation for chilled water return, the term used for all piping intended to return chilled
water from the computer room air handlers to the chiller.
CWS
The abbreviation for chilled water supply, the term used for all piping intended to deliver
chilled water from the chiller to the computer room air handlers.
Dehumidification
The process of removing moisture from air. In the data center or IT room, most dehumidification occurs as moisture-laden air flows across the cold evaporator coil. I basic example of
the dehumidification process is when a cold soda can is left outdoors. The water moisture in
the air is removed by condensing on the surface of the can as water droplets.
Design condition
The desired properties for an environment expressed in dry bulb temperature, wet bulb
temperature and relative humidity. Design conditions are commonly used during the planning
stages of a data center or IT room as a basis to aid in the specification of air conditioning
systems. Cooling equipment manufacturers normally published performance data of air
conditioning systems at several design conditions.
Downflow
A term applied to computer room air conditioners and air handlers that discharge air in a
downward direction. Typically used to feed air to a raised floor, but also can distribute air at
floor level if the air conditioner is placed on an elevating stand.
Dry cooler
See Fluid Cooler.
Economizer
The term applied to an additional cooling coil installed into glycol-cooled computer room air
conditioning units to provide free cooling in cold climates. The economizer coil contains cold
glycol circulating directly from the fluid cooler when atmospheric conditions allow.
EER
Abbreviation for energy efficiency ratio, a measurement quantifying the performance of a
compressor relative to its energy consumption. A higher number is generally better.
Enthalpy
The total quantity of energy used to heat or cool a substance between two temperatures
including the energy used to change the state of the substance if applicable. For example, if
we heat a sample of water at normal atmospheric pressure from 33F to 275F (1C to
135C), the enthalpy is the sum of the sensible heat energy added (from 33F / 1C to 212F
/ 100C and from 212F / 100C to 275F / 135C) and the latent heat energy added (state
change from liquid to vapor at 212F / 100C).
Evaporation
The process of a liquid becoming a vapor. If a cup of water were boiled for long enough, all
the water would be gone. By adding heat, all the water becomes a vapor and mixes with the
air.
Evaporator coil
The evaporator coil is an essential component used in the refrigeration cycle. It looks like an
automobile radiator. This is the part of the system that gets cold to the touch (about 45F /
7C for air conditioning systems) during normal use. Its usually found inside the space we
need to remove heat from. Cold-feeling air that exits an air conditioner has just transferred
some heat energy to the flashing refrigerant as it passed through the evaporator coil.
Expansion valve
The expansion valve is an essential component used in the refrigeration cycle. It regulates
the flow of high-pressure liquid refrigerant into the evaporator coil. It is designed to open just
enough to let refrigerant flow while maintaining a high pressure differential from its inlet to its
outlet. The pressure at the exit of the expansion valve is low enough that it initiates a phase
change in the liquid refrigerant to a vapor. A pressurized spray can is an example of how an
expansion value works. If you spray a can of butane fuel for a few seconds, the can will
become colder as the pressure inside decreases.
Firestat
A device located in the air conditioner that warns of a fire and initiates unit shutdown when
return air temperatures exceed a pre-set threshold.
Flash
A term used to describe the change in state of refrigerant from a liquid to a vapor inside the
expansion valve and evaporator coil of a computer room air conditioning unit.
Flooded distribution
An air distribution or return methodology in which the computer room cooling system and IT
equipment eject or draw in bulk air from the room without any special ductwork between
them.
Floorstand
A device used to raise the height of the computer room air conditioner or air handler to match
the height of the raised floor and manage the flow of air exiting the unit.
Fluid cooler
A device consisting of coils and fans to transfer heat energy from a flowing glycol stream to
the outside atmosphere.
Free cooling
A practice where the outside atmosphere is used to directly cool the IT room or data center.
There are two common types of free cooling. Airside free cooling introduces cold outside air
directly into the IT room or data center when atmospheric conditions allow. Waterside free
cooling uses an additional cooling coil containing cold glycol circulating directly from the fluid
cooler when atmospheric conditions allow. There are building codes for areas in the Pacific
Northwest that mandate free cooling for all data centers.
Glycol
A common term for a mixture of ethylene glycol and water (similar to the antifreeze/water
combination used in many automobiles) used as a heat removal medium in computer room
air conditioners. The glycol mixture is resistant to freezing in cold climates. See GlycolCooled System.
Glycol-cooled system
A type of precision cooling system widely used in IT environments of all sizes. In a glycol
system the air conditioner absorbs heat from the IT room and removes it from the room in the
HVAC
An abbreviation for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. Sometimes an R is shown at
the end to represent refrigeration.
Heat
Heat is simply a form of energy. It exists in all matter on earth, in varied quantities and
intensities. Heat energy can be measured relative to any reference temperature, body or
environment.
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger allows different fluids to transfer heat energy without mixing. It achieves
this by keeping the flowing fluids separated by thin tubes or thin metal plates. Heat exchangers are commonly used in the place of condenser coils in water or glycol cooled air conditioning systems.
Heat transfer
Heat transfer is the process of an object or fluid losing heat energy while another object or
fluid gains heat energy. Heat energy always flows from a higher temperature substance to a
lower temperature substance. For example, a cold object placed in a hot room cannot drop in
temperature it can only gain heat energy and rise in temperature. The amount of heat
transferred can always be measured over a period of time to establish a rate of heat transfer.
Humidification
The process of adding moisture to air. A simple example of the humidification process is
when water is boiled and the water vapor produced mixes with the air.
Humidifier
The device used to provide humidification in the data center or IT room. Humidifiers either
use heat or rapid vibrations to create water vapor. The moisture is usually added to the air
stream exiting the air conditioner or air handler.
Latent heat
Heat energy that must be transferred to or removed from a substance to change its state.
For example, energy used to boil water (latent heat energy) cannot raise the temperature of
the water beyond 212F / 100C. Adding more heat will accelerate the boiling (phase
change) but will not raise the temperature of the water.
Liquid line
A refrigerant pipe carrying liquid refrigerant connecting the output side of the condensing coil
to the input side of the expansion valve. In air-cooled systems the liquid line may be
hundreds of feet in length.
Lps
The abbreviation for liters per second. Lps is used to measure the flow of air through a
delivery system or space. Lps is the metric equivalent to CFM.
Make-up air
Outside air introduced into the IT room or data center. Make-up air is mandated by building
codes primarily to ensure the space is fit for human occupancy.
Microprocessor controller
A computer logic based system found in precision cooling systems that monitors, controls
and reports data on temperature, humidity, component performance, maintenance requirements and component failure.
Multicool
A precision cooling system that combines a chilled water coil and an evaporation coil in the
same chassis. Either system can be used. Multicool systems can provide high levels of
versatility and redundancy.
Plenum
Any dedicated space that is used for the distribution or return of cooling air. The space under
a raised floor is an example of a plenum.
Plenum rating
A special characteristic of electrical and communication wiring that is used in spaces used to
transport conditioned supply or return air. Plenum rated cables have lower flammability and
heat release characteristics than standard cables.
Power density
Electrical power used in a space divided by the area of the space.
Psychometric chart
The properties of air and the water contained in it at different temperatures arranged in the
form of a chart. In particular it shows the quantitative interdependence between temperature
and humidity. It is useful in the planning, specification and monitoring of cooling systems.
Pump package
A pump and enclosure used to circulate condenser water or glycol on applicable systems.
Pump packages are specified based on desired flow rate and piping losses for each application.
Radiation
A mode of heat transfer in which heat energy is transferred via electromagnetic waves. An
item warmed by sunlight is an example of radiant heating. Radiation is one of the three forms
of heat transfer, which also include Convection and Conduction.
Refrigerant
The working fluid used in the refrigeration cycle is known as the refrigerant. Modern systems
primarily use fluorinated hydrocarbons that are nonflammable, non-corrosive, nontoxic, and
non-explosive. Refrigerants are commonly referred to by their ASHRAE numerical designation. The most commonly used refrigerant in the IT environment is R-22. Environmental
concerns of ozone depletion may lead to legislation increasing or requiring the use of
alternate refrigerants like R-134a.
Refrigeration cycle
Closed cycle of evaporation, compression and condensation that has the net effect of moving
heat energy away from an environment and into another environment. Refrigerant changes
its physical state from liquid to gas and back to liquid again each time it traverses the various
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Reheat
A heating coil installed in a computer room air conditioner or air handler to assist in dehumidification of the discharge air stream.
Relative humidity
The amount of water vapor contained in air relative to the maximum amount the air is capable
of holding. Expressed in %.
Return air
Air entering an air conditioning system.
Sensible heat
Sensible heat is defined as the heat energy that causes a change in temperature of a
substance but does not contribute to a change in state (for example, steam to liquid water) for
the substance. The only type of heat energy produced by computers and IT equipment.
Setpoint
User-set or automatic thresholds for heating, cooling, humidification, and dehumidification
usually measured in the return air stream of the computer room air conditioner or air handler.
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Specific heat
A term used to describe the relative capabilities of refrigerants and other fluids to transport
heat energy. Defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a defined
amount of a substance one degree.
Split system
A computer room air conditioning system (floor, ceiling, or wall mount) where refrigerant is
piped to another location for heat to be expelled. The system is said to be split because it
consists of two parts: 1) The unit that absorbs the heat from the room (the evaporator) which
is connected by refrigerant piping to part 2) The unit that rejects the heat outdoors (the
condenser). Most typical built-in air conditioners in a residence are of the Split System
configuration, with the evaporator indoors and the condenser outdoors on a ground pad or
rooftop.
State change
Any change in the properties of a substance among solid, liquid, or vapor.
Supply air
Air entering a space from an air conditioner
Temperature
The measurement of heat energy within a body or substance. There are two common scales
used to measure temperature, Centigrade and Fahrenheit. The Centigrade scale (also
commonly referred to as Celsius) is widely used internationally while the Fahrenheit scale is
commonly used in the United States.
Ton (cooling)
A measurement of heat energy commonly used historically to measure heat loads in data
centers and IT rooms in North America. A ton is equal to 12,000 BTUs and is the amount of
heat energy required to melt 2000 pounds (907kg) of ice in one day (24 hours). This is an
archaic term typically used to specify heat output when expressed in Tons / day, where the
use of the more modern term Watts is the simpler and more universal measure that should be
used. Conversions from Tons to Watts are provided at the end of this paper.
Turning vane
An air management device installed in many floorstands to assist in redirecting the flow of
cooling air from vertical to horizontal as it exits the computer room air conditioner or air
handler.
Uninterruptible cooling
The process of continued heat removal from the IT room or data center during equipment
failure or power failure to preclude thermal damage and data loss due to equipment overheating.
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Upflow
A term applied to computer room air conditioners and air handlers that discharge air in an
upward direction.
Vapor barrier
Paint, plastic sheeting, floor or ceiling material specifically designed to minimize the migration
of humidity into or out of an IT room or data center.
Water-cooled system
A type of precision cooling system widely used in mid-sized to large IT environments. A
water-cooled system uses water instead of air as a condensing medium. Condensation takes
place in a refrigerant/water heat exchanger typically located within the computer room air
conditioner. The water flows in a continuous loop to an outdoor cooling tower where heat is
rejected to the outside atmosphere.
Water detector
A device used within IT rooms and data centers to sense the abnormal presence of liquid
water due to a leak or condensation.
Watt
A measurement of energy commonly used to measure electrical and heat loads in data
centers and IT rooms. The wattage consumed by the IT equipment, lights, etc. is the amount
of heat energy to be removed from the room by the air conditioning system. This term is
becoming more common when specifying cooling systems.
Working fluid
A gas or liquid used to transport heat. In an air conditioning system the working fluid is the
refrigerant. In the data center or IT room itself, air is the working fluid used to transport heat
energy away from the IT equipment.
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Conversion tables
Table 1a
English to Metric cooling related conversion
factors
Quantity
Cooling
To Metric units
Multiply by
Ton (refrigeration)
Kilowatts
3.517
BTU/Second
Kilowatts
1.054
BTU/Hour
Kilowatts
0.000293
Length
Foot
Meter
0.3048
Room Area
Square Foot
Square Meter
0.09290
Mass
Pound
Kilogram
0.4536
Floor Loading
4.882
Volume
Cubic Feet
Cubic Meter
0.02832
Gallon
Liter
3.785
Gallons / Minute
Liters / Second
0.06364
0.000471
Feet / Second
Meters / Second
0.3048
Temperature
Degree Fahrenheit
Degree Celsius
0.5555x(Fahrenheit-32)
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Table 1a
English to Metric cooling related conversion
factors
Quantity
Cooling
To English Units
Multiply by
Kilowatts
Ton (refrigeration)
0.2843
Kilowatts
BTU/Second
0.9488
Kilowatts
BTU/Hour
3413.
Length
Meter
Foot
3.281
Room Area
Square Meter
Square Foot
10.764
Mass
Kilogram
Pound
2.2046
Floor Loading
Kilograms / Square
Meter
0.2048
Volume
Cubic Meter
Cubic Feet
35.311
Liter
Gallon
0.2642
Liters / Second
Gallons / Minute
0.06364
15.713
Meters / Second
Feet / Second
3.281
Temperature
Degree Celsius
Degree Fahrenheit
1.8xCelsius+32
Conclusion
A general understanding of the common terms and conversions facilitates more precise
communication and fewer mistakes among individuals responsible for planning, managing,
servicing and working in IT rooms and data centers.
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Resources
Click on icon to link to resource
Contact us
For feedback and comments about the content of this white paper:
Data Center Science Center, APC by Schneider Electric
DCSC@Schneider-Electric.com
If you are a customer and have questions specific to your data center project:
Contact your APC by Schneider Electric representative
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